PRESS RELEASE: Scene set for fourth bumper festival On Saturday, the scene is set for what the organisers hope will be their biggest and best ever annual festival to celebrate the historical figure of Wigan born Gerrard Winstanley (1609-1676) and the radical 17th Century egalitarian movement known as the “Diggers” or True Levellers, who Winstanley became the inspirational theorist and spokesperson of. During the period in which Britain was briefly a republic, or Commonwealth as it was known, Winstanley and the Diggers famously asserted: “The Earth was made a common treasury for all, irrespective of person!” and are described by the late Tony Benn (winner of last years Gerrard Winstanley Spade Award) as “the first true Socialists”. Though they were subsequently defeated in their efforts by local landowners, with the assistance of hired men and Cromwells troopers, and their movement dispersed, as the well known song about them, written by Leon Rosselson called The World Turned Upside Down (made popular by Billy Bragg, Dick Gaughan, Chumbawamba, Rosselson and many others) goes: …but still the vision lingers on. (see: https://youtube/watch?v=SWRpl2S9iwk) Last year’s festival was a resounding success, as in the two previous years, with over 2,000 people attending during the course of the day. With the weather forecast looking like fairly good weather on the day they are hoping to top that figure this time, and that it will be an enjoyable day for everyone. In brief, whats in store this year is: a feast of 24 excellent bands, duos, solo artists, poets and other performers, amongst those, two radical choirs and a comedian, all of them performing over two stages. This years headline act is the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winning Lucy Ward Band. Wigan band Merry Hell, Second Hand Wings, Run Out The Guns and Boltons Jade Assembly are amongst the other bands who will be performing. (see: wigandiggersfestival.files.wordpress/2012/05/wdf4-programmesite-map2.jpg for full list of activities) There is also to be a historical re-enactment of the digging which took place on common land at St. Georges Hill (now one of Europes most exclusive private estates), near Weybridge in Surrey in 1649, from which the Diggers acquired their nickname, during which the actor John Graham Davies will play the role of the famous Wiganer, Gerrard Winstanley. This will take place at around 11.30am near to the Face of Wigan statue. Other attractions include a puppet theatre telling the story of the 17th Century Diggers (two showings), an all day childrens arts project tent, two educational talks, a town centre procession, and over 50 book, food and other stalls, not least amongst which, the ever popular “Occupie Wigan” Beer Tent serving the organisers own specially commissioned and locally brewed (Allgates) Gerrard Winstanley Ale, (Prospect) Diggers 1649 Ale, (Holts) Resistance is Fertile Lager, and a range of other excellent beers, ciders and perry. The event will be officially opened by Hayes & Harlington MP John McDonnell, Chair of the Labour Representation Committee and Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs. He will also talk about the lasting influence of Gerrard Winstanley & The Diggers on todays working class movement. Author and TV Documentary film maker David Malone will give a talk on the influence of Gerrard Winstanleys ideas on the later radical thinkers of the French & American Revolutions in nearby Joes Bar on Arcade Street (off Library Street) at 1.30pm. There will be a further talk by John Winstanley on Gerrard Winstanley, Radicalism and Wigan from 3.00pm at the same venue The all day FREE event is sponsored by a wide range of organisations including NW Unite the Union, NW Unison, the PCS and the Bakers Union. Check out the Wigan Diggers Festival Twitter feed @WiganDigger (#WiganDiggersFest) or our Facebook Event Page at: https://facebook/events/550650368389097/ for the very latest news. Further information also available from our website at: wigandiggersfestival.org/ and our Wigan Diggers Festival Facebook page at: https://facebook/WiganDiggersFestival The festival now also has a number of unofficial fringe events taking place after the Festival finishes at The Boulevard on Wallgate and Tudor House Hotel on New Market Street, both from 10.00pm onwards. ENDS
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 18:29:59 +0000
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